If you’ve recently received an Interac e-Transfer for $36.29 from MNP, rest assured, it’s not a scam. This payment is part of the settlement for Facebook’s Sponsored Stories class action lawsuit.
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What Was the Facebook Sponsored Stories Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit focused on Facebook allegedly using users’ names and profile pictures in advertisements without their consent. This practice was found to violate privacy laws in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Between January 1, 2011, and May 30, 2014, Facebook users in these provinces had their real names or identifiable photos used in Sponsored Story ads. These ads showcased a user’s interaction with a business—for example, clicking “Like”—and displayed it to their Facebook friends without explicit permission.
Settlement Details
The settlement, approved earlier this year, resulted in $51 million CAD being distributed among eligible class members. Each eligible claimant received $36.29, though the exact amount was determined by the number of claims submitted.
Payments are being handled by Calgary-based MNP, the court-appointed administrator of the settlement. MNP processed payments using the contact details linked with eligible users.
How to Confirm Your Interac e-Transfer
If you’ve received an Interac e-Transfer from MNP, it’s part of this settlement. For those with auto-deposit enabled, the funds should appear in your account automatically. However, if you’re prompted to enter a security answer, use the following case-sensitive answer:
Database Issues and Name Mismatches
Some users have reported receiving deposits addressed to the wrong name. This seems to be a minor database issue but does not affect the validity of the transfer.
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No Further Action Required
If you didn’t opt out of the class action lawsuit by 2020, no additional steps were necessary to participate. Eligible users who were part of the class action automatically qualified for payment.
Final Thoughts
This $36.29 settlement payment is a small but meaningful result of the legal action against Facebook (now Meta) for unauthorized use of user information. So, enjoy the deposit—it’s a little compensation for being a Facebook user during those years.
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